Namacunde: At least 11 officers from the Municipal Criminal Investigation Department in Namacunde (Cunene) and the SIC in Luanda were detained on Monday on suspicion of forming a criminal association, as well as passive corruption, abuse of power, embezzlement, and aggravated robbery.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the arrests were made by the institution's Cunene and Icolo e Bengo directorates. The statement from the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) indicates that the arrests were part of the "internal purity of the body" strategy and executed with arrest warrants issued by the Public Prosecutor's Office.
The report details that nine officers from SIC-Cunene were implicated due to substantial evidence of their involvement in the disappearance of a Toyota Land Cruiser owned by a Namibian citizen. This vehicle was seized in connection with a criminal case involving petroleum product smuggling.
Meanwhile, individuals from SIC-Luanda were apprehended in the Sequele municipality of Icolo e Bengo province for the alleged crime of aggravated robbery against a female gold trader. Among those detained, seven are junior officers, and four are criminal investigation agents, including the head of the municipal department of SIC-Namacunde and the current head of the municipal department of SIC-Curoca.
The officers will be presented to the Public Prosecutor's Office for legal proceedings and the initiation of disciplinary measures. The SIC reiterated its dedication to truth and justice, ensuring that its staff will adhere to exemplary conduct and respect the rights and freedoms of citizens, with violations subject to sanctions.
